Former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, has challenged the party’s 2023 candidate, Peter Obi, to either unite its members or exit the party amid factional disputes.
As two groups led by Julius Abure and Apapa Lamidi scrambled over leadership of the party, tensions escalated over the national chairmanship, with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) also claiming ownership of LP.
Amidst the factionalization and ownership struggle, Abure’s recent controversial re-election during a national convention in Anambra State exacerbated the rift.
In a statement, Faduri implored Obi to salvage the party’s unity, stressing the need for LP to remain a robust opposition force.
Faduri unequivocally stated, “Enough is enough! Let’s bury the hatchet and work together for the purpose of bringing good governance to our nation. This is a nation, in my own slogan, where we have everything but lack everything.
“If Mr Peter Obi cannot bring the party together, he should leave. I call on all well-meaning Nigerians with genuine hearts to rescue our party so we can rescue this nation. Nigerians need us.
“Labour Party is the only alternative party Nigerians are looking up to. Thus, we must move this nation from the old to a new generation through a change of leadership.
“If the leaders in Labour Party cannot find a common ground to come together, I beg all of them to leave the party and let us rebuild this party with the help of NLC and Nigerians from the grassroots up and we will stand to challenge anyone, any government, by 2027.”
